German citizens detained in Turkey over ‘political accusations’

The German Foreign Office said Friday that two German citizens have been detained in Turkey due to “political accusations,” German media reported.

They were taken into custody on Thursday at Antalya airport, but a German Foreign Office spokeswoman could not say if they were entering or leaving Turkey. German consular officials in Turkey were first alerted through non-government sources, and the airport police then confirmed the detentions.

The spokeswoman added that the German government is attempting to make contact with the two in order to provide assistance.

A number of German citizens have been caught up in a massive wave of arrests in Turkey since a failed coup attempt last year, including journalists and a human rights activist, increasing tensions between Berlin and Ankara. Currently, 55 German citizens are being held in detention.

“Our demand for Turkey is clear: We expect the German citizens to be freed,” said government spokesman Steffen Seibert.

Berlin has been complaining for weeks that officials have not had unimpeded access to their citizens in custody.

Turkish-German writer Doğan Akhanlı was detained in Spain in August following an arrest warrant issued by Ankara via Interpol. Akhanlı has since been released but is forbidden to leave the country pending an extradition hearing.